Századvég: European and Hungarian public oppose forced relocation of migrants

The pact mandates the redistribution of illegal migrants among EU member states and imposes financial penalties on countries that refuse to comply. Additionally, the European Court of Justice ruled that Hungary must pay a fine of 200 million euros, with an additional daily penalty of 1 million euros, for not accepting illegal migrants in recent years.

The pact requires the annual relocation of at least 30,000 migrants across EU countries, with the quota potentially increasing based on migration pressure. Member states that refuse to accept illegal migrants must pay a fine of 20,000 euros per rejected migrant or choose from other contribution options.

Research by the Századvég Foundation's Europe Project reveals that 60% of Europeans oppose the mandatory redistribution of illegal migrants, while only 27% support the Brussels decision.

In Hungary, opposition is even stronger, with 85% of Hungarians rejecting the mandatory relocation of illegal migrants. This overwhelming opposition explains why the Hungarian government has refused to implement the Brussels decision, citing national interests.

The research highlights a significant disconnect between the Brussels elite’s migration policies and the expectations of European citizens. Most Europeans view immigration negatively, with 65% believing that immigration increases crime rates and 63% feeling that it leads to more religious and cultural conflicts. Furthermore, 55% of Europeans do not feel safe in their own countries due to the impact of immigration.

Hungarians have not experienced a rise in crime rates related to immigration, thanks to the country's stringent physical and legal border controls.

This effective management has prevented the negative consequences seen in other EU member states, reinforcing Hungary's stance against the EU's mandatory migration policies.